Generally, the 2022 KDHS shows an improvement in many of the health indicators. The total fertility rate (TFR) was 3.4 children per woman, having declined from 3.9 as reported in 2014 KDHS. The TFR has been on a declining trend from a high of 8.1 recorded in 1977–78 Kenya Fertility Survey (KFS). The use of modern methods of family planning among currently married women in Kenya has been on the rise, increasing from 18% in 1989 to 57% in 2022. There is notable improvement in maternal health indicators with more women attending four or more antenatal visits for their most recent live birth at 66% in 2022 compared to 58% in 2014. Additionally, eight in ten live births were delivered in a health facility in 2022, up from six in ten recorded in 2014.
Mortality rates among infant(s) and under-five have also improved over time in Kenya. Infant mortality rate decreased from 61 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1989 to 32 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022. Similarly, under-five mortality rate declined from 90 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1989 to 41 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022. Prevalence of stunting among children under five years was 18% in 2022, representing a significant decrease from 35% in 2008–09. This indicates a reduction in chronic undernutrition. Moreover, 80% of children aged 12–23 months received all basic vaccinations (BCG, measles, three doses each of DPT and polio vaccine, excluding polio vaccine given at birth) in 2022. The percentage of women age 15–49 who reported being circumcised declined from 38% in 1998 to 15% in 2022. This portrays a gradual shift in cultural practices and attitudes towards female genital mutilation in the country. Read More